Scottish Prime Minister Youssef resigns

After 13 months in office, Scottish Prime Minister Humza Yousaf announced his resignation. Hence, the SNP leader blocks a vote of no confidence in the regional parliament. The 39-year-old said Monday in Edinburgh that he wants to remain in his position until a successor is chosen.

His Scottish National Party no longer has a majority in the regional parliament after cutting government cooperation with the Green Party last Thursday. The opposition then announced a vote to withdraw confidence from the “Prime Minister” and his government. Al-Khader accused Youssef of destroying trust. The outgoing Prime Minister apologized for this. He downplayed the importance of this decision. Youssef expressed confidence that his successor would succeed in leading a minority government.

The party has 28 days to find a successor

The SNP must now propose a new First Minister. The candidates are former government MP John Swinney and MP Kate Forbes, who narrowly lost the party's internal vote to Youssef in March 2023. Health Minister Neil Gray and Education Minister Jenny Gilruth have also been named. If Parliament does not vote to choose a new prime minister within 28 days, early elections will be held. Opposition parties called for an immediate vote.

Youssef appeared emotional as he thanked his wife and family for their support. He took office at the end of March 2023 after the resignation of Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who had ruled the country for a long time. He was health secretary under Sturgeon and was considered a confidant of hers.

Lots of setbacks for the SNP

Since taking office, the SNP has suffered many setbacks. The Liberal Gender Equality Act, which was also controversial within the Scottish National Party, was vetoed by the British central government. There is also a financial relationship. Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, who was previously general secretary of the Scottish National Party and responsible for the party's finances, was recently accused of embezzlement.

On Thursday, Youssef stopped working for the Green Party, which also supports independence from Great Britain and held two ministerial positions. The reason was, among other things, a row over relaxing Scotland's climate targets. (SAW/SDA/DPA)